Have y’all ever heard the saying, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”? I certainly have. There’s a lot of truth to that statement. Aside from your actual occupation, the atmosphere has a lot to do with bringing joy into your workplace. When you work from home, you need a place to call your own. Here’s how to perfect and personalize your home office.
Give Yourself a View
Most jobs have eight-hour work shifts. That means eight hours of looking at the same computer screen, and that strains our eyes. Give yourself a view because you will need to change the scenery.
Make sure your home office gets plenty of sunlight because it’s conducive to a productive work environment. Plus, you can open that window and get some fresh air every now and then. Position the desk where you can look out the window to stare at something other than the computer screen, such as a beautiful garden or aesthetic cityscape.
Make the Essentials Reflect You
Every item in your office, no matter how mundane, is an opportunity to express your individuality. This means y’all don’t have to buy the first desk and chair you see at your local office supply store. Maybe you’re a fan of minimalism—try a sleek, ergonomic chair and a simple, clean-lined desk. Or perhaps you lean more toward the vintage aesthetic, in which case a restored wooden desk and antique accessories could be more up your alley. Y’all can even make the smaller details, like staplers or pen holders, echo your personal style. For instance, a quirky, animal-shaped pen holder or a brightly colored stapler can add a dash of personality to your workspace. Remember, your office should be a space that inspires and motivates you, so don’t shy away from letting your personality shine through every element.
Give Yourself a Cozy Corner
Even if I have the most comfortable chair, I still need to get up and stretch every so often. Staying seated in the same position isn’t good for our bones, so make a space to work and a space to relax.
Add a cozy corner to your home office by including either a loveseat or a small couch. Add a few plush blankets and throw pillows to optimize the comfort. If y’all really want to go the extra mile, consider setting up a diffuser or air purifier in the corner for a total mental reset. You can take your breaks in this area and then come back to your desk refreshed and ready to finish the workday.
Give Yourself a Creative Vibe
Go all out in your home office and make it creative. You’ll need more fixtures than just family photos and a few potted plants. Add some floating shelves with meaningful memorabilia and books to the walls so your eyes can wander to something aesthetically appealing. Since complementing small spaces is one of the best ways to use an oval rug in your home, lay one down on your office floor for an aesthetic look. And if you’re a creative person, add some of your own art to the walls! This will go a long way in creating an artsy office space that is unmistakably yours.
Organize Your Space
Don’t let things in your home office go into disarray. Make sure everything is in its place, y’all. Organize the space vertically and horizontally. Since our offices don’t have a lot of square footage, we need to make the most of what we have.
Remember those floating shelves I mentioned earlier? Y’all can also use those to get papers and office equipment off the desk. Then, use vertical file folders on the desk to keep important papers within arm’s reach. It also helps to have a cubby to store all your mail instead of placing it inside a drawer.
Knowing how to perfect and personalize your home office isn’t just about creating a visually appealing work environment. Instead, it’s about cultivating a space that reflects your personality, accommodates your work habits, and inspires productivity. Whether adding a cozy corner for breaks or maximizing your available space with effective organization, every element of your home office should work toward facilitating a healthy, enjoyable work-from-home experience. Embrace the opportunity to create a workspace that is uniquely and unequivocally yours!
